It is a pity indeed to travel and not get this essential sense of landscape values. You do not need a sixth sense for it. It is there if you just close your eyes and breathe softly through your nose; you will hear the whispered message, for all landscapes ask the same question in the same whisper. 'I am watching you -- are you watching yourself in me?' Most travelers hurry too much...the great thing is to try and travel with the eyes of the spirit wide open, and not to much factual information. To tune in, without reverence, idly -- but with real inward attention. It is to be had for the feeling...you can extract the essence of a place once you know how. If you just get as still as a needle, you'll be there. - Lawrence Durrell

3 January 2020, Conakry to Maneah by share taxi
Hotel Ben Ben 250,000GNF (R375)

We were treated this morning by our hotel proprietor to a breakfast of coffee and croissants - how nice. Then we took a share taxi to the Ecobank at Rond Point Belle Vue, finding it cash-flush for the third time, drew money for the rest of our stay in Guinea, and flagged down another taxi.
It took our communal ride well over two hours to do the 33-or-so km to Coyah. The driver took the other road that travels the length of the peninsula at the end of which Conakry sits. The traffic on this road was pretty appalling, and we stopped often, of course, to ensure we were always full, though Charl got to sit alone in the front passenger seat.
Returning to a hotel at which you have stayed before, feels much like coming home. You know what to expect from your room and from the restaurant, and at which “boutique” to buy your soft drinks. Nice…